DRIVER CD REVIEWS
CD REVIEW AT BRASILIAN STRYKE
9 FROM 10 POINTS
Very interesting the sound of the Driver that, to start, is formed by excellent musicians, as the famous vocalista Rob Rock (that already it participated of innumerable projects and bands of the half Christian as Impelliteri) and Roy Z (guitarist and producer that already worked with Bruce Dickinson and Rob Haltford). They still complete the formation of the Driver, Reynold Butch Carlson (baterista), Aaron Samsom (stock exchange operator) and Edward Roth (another formerones). Roy Z since early was seen influenced by great guitarists of some styles as Peter Green, Uli Roth, Jimmy Page, Frank Marino, Carlos Santana, Michael Schenker, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jeff Beck and Robin Trower and this propitiated it a dynamics, technique and powerful and marcante style. In the case of the Driver and its only album he ties then, Sounds Of Thuder launched in 2008, these musicians had created one hard modern rock and in what he has better of in creativity and technique of the present time.
“Titans Of Speed”, for example, is an instrumental band that opens play, climatic and with melodies and arrangements. One hard n´heavy modern well marcante. In the sequence it comes two hymns, two landmarks of heavy Christian metal, “I´m the Warrior” and Fly Away”, two hard rock worked, cadenciados, with climatic keyboards to the deep one (even so first Bob Rock already had recorded in its alone career and the Impelliteri). These two of authorship of the Rob pair Rock/Roy Z. “Hearts On Fire” already has one more riff weighed of beginning, and soon falls after for one heavy broken metal. Prominence here and in all the other compositions for the well creative, pleasant timbre and for the interpretation dosed of the Rob Rock well. Interesting the good variation in the line of compositions of the Driver, for example, the band heading `Sounds Of Thunder” is one petardo, one heavy metal in the line of “Freewheel Burning” (Judas Priest) only that more to power while “Never Give Up” is a cadenciada band already and with melodies and accessible arrangements already to the great public commercially speaking.
Here it is that then we have the first ballad of this release, “Change Of Heart”, and again the band of the samples of its versatility, of this time showing influences of vocal melodies and of support of hard AOR there the Foreigner. Contagiante melody. “Dark World” and “Winds Of March” already possess a footprint of hard modern rock with refrões worked and sticky in the line of Rudi Axel Pell and Jeff Scott Soto. Vocal perfect and work of guitars idem. “Only Love Can Save Me Now” is another ballad, of this time a little travelling and climatic that previous but the refrões gain weight more accented marking. “Tears That I Cry” is simply killer, one of best with riffs pentatônicos in the introduction and the guitars weighed in finally power chords in the sequência beyond some progressions and well worked arrangements in the tickets and, “I Believe In Love”, another ballad with more melancholic tones to the style of “Lonely Nights” (Scorpions).
In short, n´heavy is band of hard a modern, competent, extremely creative rock and technique with musics of strong refrões, riffs well marcantes and arrangements in the certain measure. A true lesson of composition, execution and good taste.
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DRIVER - Sons Of Thunder
Metal Heaven
Metal Express Rating: 8.0/10
by: PATRIK GUSTAVSSON
Metal Heaven at long last, Driver arrives with a full length. It has been some twenty years after their initial formation, but the old saying “it’s never too long a wait” is actually true in this case. Vocalist Rob Rock and guitarist/songwriter/producer Roy Z have, since this band’s first days, made names for themselves, so this is certainly something of a homecoming and returning to their roots for them. Obviously Driver isn’t their only joint work as Roy Z has produced three of Rob Rock’s four solo CD’s to date.
Even for the uninitiated, chances are some of these songs have been heard before for any enthusiast of the gent’s whereabouts since; “Change of Heart” was reworked on Bruce Dickinson’s Balls to Picasso, the first album of his that Roy Z had a hand in writing. While it’s somewhat disappointing to find out that the arguably best track on said album was actually an old Driver track, the Air Raid Siren gave a heartfelt performance on the tune. Of course, Rock’s no slouch either and this version features some slight musical differences and other lyrics, but the melodic base of the song is basically the same. “I’m a Warrior” was recorded for Impellitteri and resurfaced again on Rock’s critically acclaimed Holy Hell opus. Neither versions differ much; this one’s got some more keyboards filling in on the verses.
Certainly, with this talent, the great stuff on offer doesn’t stop there. The material walks a fine line of demonstrating the classic anthemic Melodic Metal that has showcased Rock’s solo works, such as the title track, and at other times with AOR-tinged Hard Rock heard in “Never Give Up”. Due to the old material being re-recorded, the new songs produced under the same sonic roof make the album work as a cohesive and yet quite broad entity. Or how about “Dark World”, featuring Roy Z’s immense sense of arrangements. The funky toned while still heavy “Tears That I Cry” offers stomping catchiness. Add to that the guitar grinding “Wind of March” and “Heart’s on Fire” which is a groovier track altogether. “Fly Away” has that more modern Epic feel that was prevalent on much of Rock’s Eyes of Eternity release, thus differing on much of where the rest of the album is concerned. “Only Love Can Save Me Now” is classic Hard Rock balladry with acoustic undertones whilst ending track “I Believe in Love” starts off reminiscent of the Aerosmith classic “Dream On”.
Really, pretty much anything for the Traditional Heavy Metal/Hard Rock fan is covered here. An appetizing dish, there to enjoy after every consuming, who knows if the Metal world will ever be treated to Driver taking on another ride. As it stands, Sons of Thunder alone shows the legacy of these combined talents efficiently.
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Driver - Sons of Thunder
Written by Harris Bakopoulos
Driver is the band that Roy Z and Rob Rock formed back in the 80’s but didn’t make it to release an album. Since the things were left unfinished simply with only an EP demo release consisted of 5 tracks (“The Warrior”, “Heart’s On Fire”, “Only Love Can Save Me Now”, “Fly Away”, “I Believe In Love”) in 1990, the 2 aforementioned founding members of Driver decided even after all these years to finally release the full length album that they never got to release, justifying the once bad luck of the band. Driver’s debut album is now a fact, giving the opportunity to the old fans after all these years to “taste” this hidden and underestimated material and to the new fans to get to know some more of the background of these two great musicians.
With a new production and with 7 more new songs, “Sons Of Thunder” delivers a total of traditional melodic heavy metal compositions signed and guaranteed by Roy Z and Rob Rock. The album begins with “The Warrior”, a song of strong character and with a straight dynamic chorus, which is followed by a similar one called “Fly Away”. The surprise of the album comes with the 7th track which is Driver’s version on “Change Of Heart” originally sang by Bruce Dickinson in “Balls To Picasso”. I personally prefer Driver’s version, as heavier and more pleasant in general. The aforementioned songs along with “Sons of Thunder”, “Never Give Up” and “I Believe In Love” (Roy Z’s solo in this last one is simply fantastic) are the highlights of the album.
“Sons Of Thunder” is a very interesting release that you shouldn’t just pass by. I believe that fans of Roy Z and Rob Rock will definitely be more than satisfied by the result of “Sons Of Thunder”…Check It Out!
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Driver: Sons Of Thunder
Melodic Hard Rock/Metal
Rating: 4.0/5.0
The appearance of Rob Rock's Driver has been along time coming. The material on 'Sons Of Thunder' dates back to a well-circulated five song EP from 1990 that never reached the light of day. Grunge hit the mainstream and melodic rock and metal of Driver's type was essentially musica non gratis. Fortunately, hope, persistence and good music can outlast most any momentary fad or trend. Coupled with seven additional new songs, Rock, with the aid of veteran producer and guitarist Roy Z, give us an album that reminds of the past, yet still sounds fresh and exciting almost 20 years later.
The strength of this album lies in several things. First, this has to be Rob Rock's finest performance in a long time: his voice simply fits each song, always accurate and never over extended. Second, Roy Z displays both sound and skillful fret work. In other words (listen up fledgling guitarists), his fundamentals are solid and so allows for genuine creativity. Finally, though hardly novel, the song composition is tight and steady allowing all musicians to excel in their parts. With these notes, some of the best songs on this work are: 'Fly Away,' strong vocals and a great solo; 'Hearts On Fire,' strong rhythm section and keyboard influence; 'Change Of Heart,' good melodic rock ballad; and, 'Winds Of March,' great melodic metal with a fast pace and brilliant fret work.
Overall, Driver's 'Sons Of Thunder' is an exceptional work. To some this may seem dated; but if I look beyond my shores, I see that bands around the world are still pursing this same rich melodic rock and metal genre. This should encourage them and encourage all of us. Highly recommended!
- Craig Hartranft
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DRIVER
Sons Of Thunder
AOR & melodic (hard) rock
When I first heard about this band, it immediately did me think of an excellent album that I have in my collection, namely “Project: Driver” from M.A.R.S., which stood for MacAlpine, Aldridge, Rock and Sarzo. Is there a link between the two? Yes, there is! Songs that were meant for the follow-up album of “Project: Driver” (1987) landed on a 5-song demo in 1990 and that demo garnered the band a kind of a cult status at the time. The boom of grunge prevented a proper release of the songs at the time, but newly-recorded versions of all five have now finally find a place on this “Sons Of Thunder” release, together with seven brand-new songs. Rob Rock puts in a stellar performance and is surrounded by seasoned musicians such as guitarist Roy Z (a well-known metal producer), bass player Aaron Samson (George Lynch), drummer Reynold ‘Butch’ Carlson (Tribe After Tribe) and keyboard player Ed Roth (Glenn Hughes, Impellitteri). Among the best songs on offer are “I’m A Warrior”, “Never Give Up” (feat. an intro that could have come from Eddie Van Halen), “Change Of Heart” (easy listening, but deadly effective) and the ballads “Only Love Can Save Me Now” and “I Believe In Love”. Classic melodic hard rock of the highest order, that’s what you get with “Sons Of Thunder”. Off you go now… (CL)
Members' opinions post your opinion
Latka (on 7/12/08)
Excellent and well-crafted album with some delicious melodies and harmonies. One of the best this year!
angel heart (on 12/11/08)
Roy Z is a master, sadly underrated again (c'mon men call Dio and make an album). For me the best melodic hard rock album since the 1st Masterplan.
Modulator (on 27/10/08)
Very good! Rob Rock is definitely one of today's best hard rock/heavy metal singers!
Metal Mark (on 14/10/08)
I enjoy this much more than his last output Fires Of Babylon. Rock is a great vocalist and the songs are very well written here on 'Sons Of Thunder.' Yes, a bit dated, but who cares. This is what good, hard melodic rock sounds like, right?
astonbob (on 13/10/08)
this one i really like, rob sings great and roys guitar is magic. they could skip "change of heart", was this track produced 20 years ago or what?
WOLF 359 (on 13/10/08)
Very, very good metal album. Great songs plus a strong production job, make this a winner all the way.
Metalrob4662 (on 13/10/08)
I love this CD..Roy Z Kicks butt and Rob Rock sounds awesome ( as Usual )
The production is superb. A "Must Have" for fans of melodic metal and fans or Rob n Roy.
manofmystery (on 13/10/08)
Agree with the other comments, very good CD, some quality material on offer here.
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DRIVER - Sons Of Thunder
Published: 2008.10.09
Metal Heaven (2008)
Before his stints in Axel Rudi Pell, Impellitteri, Warrior and his own solo prominence, Rob Rock gained a decent amount of attention in the melodic metal world with a little known act called Driver. The other main songwriter in Driver would also go on to future producing accolades with Bruce Dickinson, Rob Halford, and Helloween - guitarist Roy Z. Circulating a 5 song demo in 1990, the band would part ways for 18 years until these two felt the time would be right to re-record these cult classics, adding 7 brand new songs to flesh out the time frame to a full length effort.
Songs like "I’m A Warrior", the blistering title track (listen to the guitar-laced salvos thrown about from Roy Z on this one) and the radio-friendly "Never Give Up" reach the same appeal as Fifth Angel and "Thundersteel" Riot times- with a Christian lyrical theme as well as a dose of the early Dokken songwriting scheme. Original Driver drummer Reynold "Butch" Carlson keeps the proceedings heavily accented on appropriate pace and fill work, coming off classy and not super flashy. The second half of the album contains more of their slower ballad work, and this is my only qualm as I believe a quieter keyboard laden affair such as "Change Of Heart" while still good seems more in line with Foreigner circa "Agent Provocateur" then the hard rock style you come to expect from Rob Rock and friends.
Roy Z injects a beefy thick guitar tone throughout, assimilating the best of Jake E. Lee, early Zakk Wylde and other spirited European/ Far Eastern metal players which carries material like "Dark World" and "Winds Of March" to guitar hero dimensions. For a man in his 40’s Rob Rock has not lost any power, finesse or vibrato - belonging in the top echelon of premier metal singers, and "Sons Of Thunder" compliments his long, thorough discography.
After the side step with Fires Of Babylon, Driver should cruise into the homes of most lifetime melodic hard rock or metal mongers. Crank it up and let it roar!
GerMusica (www.germusica.com)
www.robrock.com
www.metalheaven.net
Composed by Matt Coe
